Poignant plea for missing dad

THE family of a missing dad are preparing for an emotional Father’s Day tomorrow as the search for him continues.

Dad-of-two Scott Fletcher has not been seen since May 11 last year, when he was spotted in a lay-by opposite the Jet garage on the A181 at Wheatley Hill.

The search for missing 28-year-old Scott, who is from the Throston area of Hartlepool, has stretched across both the Durham and Cumbria force areas, where he is believed to have connections, and more recently focused on the popular Appleby Horse Fair, in Cumbria.

As the second Fathers’ Day without him approaches, Scott’s family has appealed for members of the public to help them trace their son.

Scott has two children, five-year-old Lucie and stepson Bradley, seven, and his mum Julie revealed the heartache they are facing on Father’s Day.

Julie said: “Scott has a very close relationship with his dad and Sunday once again will be a difficult day, not only for his dad, but especially for Lucie and Bradley.

“They know he is missing now as they have inadvertently seen some of the publicity and Lucie in particular has been very upset at the thought that her Daddy is lost and we cannot help him to come home.

“As time goes on we as his family, and the children in particular, are finding the situation more and more difficult to cope with and again we are appealing for some help from the public.”

Shelley Marshall, Scott’s ex-partner and mother of Lucie and Bradley, said: “Lucie is very confused and upset.

“She has been making Fathers’ Day cards at school and she can’t give her Daddy her card. Both Bradley and Lucie are having dreams that he has returned and they get upset when they wake up and he isn’t there.”

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Green, from Hartlepool Police, added: “Scott’s family are distraught as they approach a second Fathers’ Day without him.

“His children are desperate to see their Dad and we know that he had a close relationship with Lucie and Bradley. His lack of contact with them is particularly out of character.

“I would urge anyone who has any information at all to contact us and help us put an end to the torment that Scott’s family and his young children are suffering.”

Scott was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt and black jeans. Anyone who knows of his whereabouts is asked to contact Det Chf Insp Green on (01642) 302178.